Some Trick-Or-Treaters Plan To Arm Themselves Amid Clown Threats

SEBASTIAN – Some residents said they are carrying a gun while taking their children trick-or-treating. Local police typically increase patrols for Halloween, which is always the case in Sebastian, Vero Lake Estates, Fellsmere, Palm Bay, and Vero Beach.

“I’ll be carrying for sure,” Kimberly Kersey, who lives in Palm Bay, said in a statement. “I’m terrified of clowns already and if one messes with me or my kids it’ll be to the hospital or morgue they go.”

There have been ‘Creepy Clown’ sightings in Palm Bay, Sebastian, Vero Lake Estates, and in Vero Beach. As a result, law enforcement officials in Brevard County and Indian River County have urged people to reconsider dressing up as clowns.

“We are aware that these ‘Creepy Clown’ sightings have been reported in several states over the past couple weeks. At this time we ask residents of Indian River County to talk to your children about personal safety. Teenagers and young adults who may be perpetrating these incidents should be aware of the dangers associated with activity such as this,” Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar said in a statement.

“The problem is that someone dressed like a clown could scare someone and there’s a possibility – a possibility – you could end up with someone getting shot,” said Palm Bay Police Lt. Mike Bandish.

West Melbourne resident Cassandra Closson gave the same advice to her 15-year-old son and forbade him from dressing as a clown.

“Just not worth any drama,” she said.

Many parents in Sebastian feel the same way and want to avoid all or any problems.

Last week, the Melbourne Police Department arrested two men dressed as clowns for allegedly threatening people while holding large bats, sticks or axes.

DISCLAIMER: Arrests and mugshots were made public by complaint affidavits, arrest affidavits, and police reports. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty.

Andy Hodges grew up in Jupiter, Florida where he began his career in radio and TV broadcasting for over 12 years. He would make a career change to computer programming. Andy spent seven years working for tech companies in Atlanta before moving to Indian River County in 2002. He returned to the news sector in 2005 as a writer. Andy joined Sebastian Daily in 2016 as our editor in chief.